ThisIsWhatWeLiveFor - Canucks Ridge

Kevin Lim and Sonia Sidhu typically take requests, not dish them out.

The morning radio hosts on 99.9 Sun FM, Kelowna’s #1 Hit Music Station, realized that Predator Ridge Golf Resort in Vernon, B.C., was inadvertently backing the bad guys, the Nashville Predators, in the Western Conference Semifinal versus Vancouver.

And they did something about it.

Lim and Sidhu created an online petition on April 28th urging the course to temporarily change its name to ‘Canucks Ridge.’ Within 24 hours of its launch, 212 people signed the petition. That was enough to convince Predator Ridge management that the name change was a good idea.

“As much as I hate to say it, it never crossed our minds, so we’re so glad it crossed theirs,” said Ingrid Dilschneider, director of sales & marketing at ‘Canucks Ridge.’

Predator Ridge discussed the proposed name change with Canucks Sports & Entertainment and the National Hockey League, and the parties worked out an arrangement that provided the resort the right to use the Canucks trademark for the duration of the Nashville series.

Once all the logistics were out of the way, Canucks Ridge fully embraced its new identity and a massive makeover was performed on the facility, which included a ‘Canucks’ banner draped over Predator on the entrance sign.

On the course, the only two-time winner of the BCPGA Facility of the Year, flags and signage were changed and Vancouver’s original logo was cut into the fairway on the 18th hole of The Predator Course, a 444-yard par-4.

Dilschneider said everyone in the office has been buzzing about the change and jerseys have become popular attire by staff, most of whom have gone as far as modifying their email signatures and voicemails to reflect the new name.

“Lots of people are having tons of fun with it here, and the guests love it too,” said said. “At first it takes them a few minutes to get it, and then once they do, they love it.”

With Vancouver advancing past Nashville and into the Western Conference Final for the third time in franchise history and first time in 17 years, the name change was clearly a good omen as Canucks fans everywhere continue to support their team on the quest for the Stanley Cup.

In the spirit of the Canucks, Canucks Ridge also added a charitable aspect to being associated with the team. The company pledged $150 to Canuck Place Children's Hospice for every goal Vancouver scored on Nashville in Round 2.

The Canucks tallied 14 goals resulting in a $2,100 donation to help sick children in BC.

After Vancouver managed only two goals in the first two games, Canucks Ridge worried its donation would be next to nothing.

Ryan Kesler can be thanked for ensuring a sizeable donation will be made as he was in on 11 of Vancouver’s final 13 goals, including a goal and two assists in game fore.